A Rainy Day

He hung up the phone just as another clap of thunder shook the building.

It was raining cats, dogs, and horses at Eastern Head Quarters, and had been doing so for the past week. Work, however, still had to be done; the military stopped for no man, woman, child, or, apparently, rainstorm.

Today's storm was excessively fierce, though. The past showers had been intermittent, sudden and violent, but soon over. This rain, however, did not seem to be letting up anytime soon. In addition, it wasn't just any old rain shower—it was a lightning storm.

The electricity danced in the distance all throughout the morning. Mustang paid it no mind; he'd seen many storms. Most of his subordinates had skipped work today, on the preface that 'they were flooded in at their houses'. It was a lie, and he knew it. Mustang didn't report them, all he did was envy them.

One of his officers, of course, was there. Riza Hawkeye, his most loyal, sat at her desk focusing more intently than ever on her paperwork, Black Hayate at her heels, cowering under the desk in apprehension at the approaching storm.

Roy was surprised by her earnestness. Maybe she also wanted to go home early?

The day rolled slowly by and the raindrops on the roof grew louder, the lightning strikes neared.

He stood from his desk, finished with his stack and ready to file them; another flash of lightning, thunder shook the window. As he strode across the room he heard the oddest noise in all his military career.

A yelp of terror.

Coming from the vicinity of Riza's desk.

Wait a second…

Roy had his doubts. There was absolutely no way he'd just heard Riza Hawkeye, Amestris' number one sharpshooter, workaholic, cry out in fear at the sound of thunder. Right?

More lightning. More thunder. More yelp.

Okay, there was no mistake this time; he'd definitely heard that. He knew what it was, yes, that had to be it. Riza'd never get scared of rain.

"Hawkeye, I understand that Hayate must be frightened, but if you could, please hush him." He really didn't mind the dog's noises, but he had to make sure he wasn't just imagining those cries.

"Sir!" she saluted him, albeit, somewhat shakily. She too had completed the stack assigned to her and was approaching the filing cabinet. He opened the drawer for her, she deposited her file into the compartment and paused to thank him. The noise of the drawer sliding shut was soon accompanied by a harsh clash of thunder that shook the very foundations of EHQ.

To this day, Roy can't tell you what happened in that split second where the light flickered off. All he can say is that one moment, his subordinate was thanking him for getting the filing cabinet open for her, the next, she was in his arms, practically trembling with fear at the storm's onslaught.

To say he was startled would be the understatement of the century. His mind was vainly attempting to process the fact that the proud Riza Hawkeye was currently shaking in his arms. His eyes were wide and his expression was blank. Riza was incredibly embarrassed; her face was red and her amber eyes were ashamed. She softly spoke, snatching Roy from his pathetic attempts at intelligent thought, "You can put me down now, sir."

He didn't need to be told twice. He practically dropped her from surprise as it was, though he was shocked to find he was partially unwilling to release her. She stared awkwardly off in a different direction. He was unable to take his eyes off her.

"I'm sorry, sir. I…I don't like storms."

Roy just gaped at his Lieutenant. She turned to face him, her eyes held a serious air as she asked, "You won't tell anyone about this, right?"

Mustang finally found his voice, "W…" oops, his voice cracked! 'No! Now I sound like some insane, hormone-crazed teenage boy!' He resisted the urge to smack himself. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She smiled. She actually, genuinely smiled, though it was rather small. Roy's eyes widened again, he could feel the slightest rush of blood to his face. Right when he thought he was caught, however, he was saved by the storm—another resounding clap rolled through the office; the lights flickered before going off.

"EEEP!!!!" There were arms around his neck again. She was trembling again. The lights reluctantly came back on to enlighten the comical scene.

Riza was once again in Roy's arms.

"I-I think it's time to go home, Lieutenant." Roy forced out. Thank goodness! His voice did not crack this time.

"Okay…" It was the first time he'd ever seen Hawkeye that desperate to leave the office.

"I'll walk you home." He promised as he set her on the ground, more gently this time.

Her smile would have lit the room, maybe even the entire EHQ, had the power been out again. Roy grabbed his umbrella, and the two walked out the door, Black Hayate bringing up the rear.

A/N: I'm so sorry that it took me so long to update this...I kinda had writer's block for this story and I had to finish up a Naruto fanfiction. I'll try to update more frequently again. Thanks for reading.

Review if you want.